. >> reporter: and in 2011, he was paid a visit in south africa by first lady michelle obama who brought along first daughters sasha and malia. admired around the world and revered at home, nelson mandela's south africa reentered the family of nations. he leaves a legacy of freedom and proof that one life can make a difference. >> we are one country. we are one people. >> and we are happy to be joined here in the studio tonight by nelson mandela's biographer. rick stangel is former managering editor of "time" magazine who during his time of chronicling the life of nelson mandela actually lived with him. he spoke about mandela in his book "mandela's way." in fact, he is god father to your older song. and my first quote to start off this conversation. you and i have known this day is coming for 20 years or more. the last pure hero on the planet. >> brian, e had is, indeed, the last pure hero. but if he were here to talk to us, he would say that he wasn't a hero in the conventional sense. he wasn't a saint. he wasn't a philosopher. he was a pragmatic politician. he had one great goal, bring